Joe's Crab Shack
SR-535
Lunch
Date of Visit: 1/19/2008
Time of Visit: 16:00
Adults in Party: 2
Children in Party: 1
Total Cost: $73.37
Average Price Per Adult: $33.19
Ten Point Scale
Food: 9.0
Value: 8.7
Service: 9.2
Environment: 9.5
Overall Rating: 9.1
Located up State Road 535 (the freeway exit just before WDW, and the road that you'll end up on if you leave Downtown Disney and head away from the theme parks), Joe's Crab Shack isn't unique to Orlando but may not yet be in your hometown. Famous for its seafood, the establishment offers good variety, mostly fresh food, and a cluttered, down-home feel.

The child chicken fingers ($5) come with buffalo sauce, a nice touch revealing the tendency toward spice at this restaurant. We splurged on the strawberry freeze drink ($1.50) rather than sticking with the included drink, and it was worthwhile for the heavy flavor alone. 

If it's flavor you want, crab flavor that is, then you're in the right place. The crab feast ($26) served in a bucket included a few legs from snow, dungeness, and king crabs. We asked for the simple steamed version, though other spice arrangements (garlic, Old Bay) are possible. The food was delicious and perfectly prepared. The broiled seafood platter ($20) came with five grilled shrimp, delicately spiced, two tilapia filets that were over-spiced and way too salty, and a lump crab cake, the house speciality. Make sure you order something with crab cake at some point on your visit (there are platters, appetizers, or even sandwiches available). It's remarkable!

We found drink refills attentive, but the server clearly heard the order for lobster bisque and yet plum forgot to bring it. He not only took it off the bill when reminded of it, he brought us a $5 gift certificate, unasked for, just to make up for the oversight. 

It's the kind of seafood restaurant that crowds a million things into the exposed rafters, often items that look intentionally cheesy. That makes for a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Things will get noisy and echo greatly in here when there's a crowd, but in the middle of the day, there is not often a crowd. In fact, most of the tables will be empty, and your service should be corrospondingly prompt.